Mailly le Château and the surrounding villages: There are a number of charming villages along the Canal du Nivernais that are ideal for walking or cycling:

• Merry sur Yonne, a pretty village and starting point for the Rochers du Saussois,

• Châtel Censoir, with its marina, upper town and small shops,

• Cravant, a pretty medieval village with its keep, where you can also do your shopping,

• Coulanges sur Yonne, a beautiful village on the Canal, with its lively Guinguette in fine weather,

• Vermenton: a pretty, lively village with shops and restaurants.

Find out more about these villages on my ‘Shops and markets’ and ‘Restaurants’ pages.

Réserve naturelle du Bois du Parc à Mailly-le-Château :

Fauna and flora discovery trail for all seasons. Discover the limestone grasslands with the help of information panels on this oceanic fossil massif, which is teeming with animals and flowers from spring onwards.

The Bois du Parc nature reserve owes its appeal to its cliffs set in a large coral mass of Jurassic age. In fact, 160 million years ago, a warm, shallow sea, favourable to the development of a reef massif typical of tropical seas, lined the site of the present-day Yonne valley. Today, you can see the footprints of fossilised polypiers (corals) in their living position, accompanied by numerous shells. This is one of the most beautiful fossil coral outcrops in France.

Le Planétarium de Mailly le Château : The planetarium at Mailly-le-Château is a fascinating place for astronomy enthusiasts and those in search of celestial discoveries.

The planetarium has a diameter of 6 metres. It seats 30 people.

The starry sky, galaxies and the deep sky are projected onto the screen, with the added advantage of being able to do so in broad daylight and even when the weather outside is poor.

It also projects 360° films for total immersion on a 60 m2 screen. The films are projected in 4K for even greater immersion.

You can book and pay for your tickets online. You are advised to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the screening.

The Yonne valley is characterised by its unspoilt nature, and the Saussois rocks are a must-see. If you're looking for peace and quiet, this is the place for you. In autumn, the peace and quiet will be felt and will allow you to take a breath of fresh air, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Observe the flora and fauna around you. Smell the fresh air from the rocks. Feel free.

Climbing the Saussois site
Climbing is the main activity on this tourist site. Since the 1950s, climbers have been getting together to tackle limestone walls almost 60 metres high. So if you're used to climbing, have fun. If not, it's best to take the car or the footpath to the top of the rock.

A family picnic
Enjoy some sweet family time at the foot of the Rochers du Saussois and take the opportunity to have a picnic on the village side. You'll have an incredible view of the site from the extensive nature reserve.

Hike to the top of the rock
Thanks to a signposted route at the start of the trail, you can walk to the top of the Saussois rock. The view is so sublime that you'll soon forget the climb.

Discover the rock from the Yonne
For the less adventurous among you, you may prefer to wander along the Yonne to avoid the risk of falling. A greenway has been set up for the whole family to walk or cycle in complete safety.

The caves of Arcy sur Cure: 

Guided tours only, by reservation (by phone or internet).

The Grande Grotte d'Arcy is home to 28,000-year-old cave paintings, the oldest still accessible in France, at the end of a splendid underground trail. 

The tour route is dotted with stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone concretions resulting from the action of rainwater seeping underground.

Some of these have captured the imagination over the centuries, as evidenced by their names: the Coquille Saint-Jacques (scallop shell), the Cierge pascal (Paschal candle), the Diable (Devil), the Méduse (Medusa) and the famous Calvaire (Calvary), the emblematic large concretion of the Grande Grotte.

Caves Bailly Lapierre : 

Overlooking the Yonne valley, the former quarry is located in the commune of Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, in the heart of the stone, more than 50 metres underground.

In 1972, it was converted into a cellar, thanks to its location, natural humidity and constant temperature.

During your visit, you'll discover contemporary sculptures created in the stone on the theme of the site, its history and the vine, and the different stages in the production of Crémant de Bourgogne.

And also in the region:

• The very pretty Château de Faulin, which can be visited by appointment, a few kilometres from the Gîte in Coulanges sur Yonne.

• Puisaye: Toucy and its beautiful street market on Saturday mornings, Saint Sauveur and Colette's House, the Château de Saint Fargeau

• The Gallo-Roman site of Escolives ‘La Villa Scoliva’: interesting and instructive for all the family

• The Abbey of Pontigny : Marked by an exceptional history and thanks to the project of the François Schneider Foundation, the Abbey of Pontigny continues to write its history.
  This year, almost 910 years after its creation, the new domain of Pontigny Abbey opens its doors.
  Come and discover the domain of the earth and the arts, and discover exhibitions and restaurants.

Noyers sur Serein :

Discover this small town nestling in a meander of the Serein. You'll feel like you're strolling through the heart of a film set.

Everything here seems to have stayed the same since time immemorial: squares, churches, ramparts, sculpted capitals and the peaceful banks of the Serein.

A visit on foot is all it takes to be transported to the heart of a remarkably well-preserved medieval market town. Add a few fine Renaissance houses and you have a little gem of Burgundy architecture, listed as one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’.

Chablis :

Discover the town of Chablis in a whole new light! Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the historical sights.

Chablis is not just a wine-growing town, it has a rich heritage and every street corner has a story to tell. 

Follow the little plaques on the ground with a bunch of grapes, they'll guide you through the ages and make sure you don't miss any of the town's treasures: the Porte-Noël, the Obédiencerie, the wash-house and many other monuments.

Don't hesitate to visit the newly-opened Cité des Vins for a tasting session!

The many wine-producing villages, most of them within a few dozen kilometres of the Château:

• Saint Bris le Vineux : the only appellation in the region to produce Sauvignon rather than Chardonnay... a delicious curiosity!

• Coulanges la Vineuse : some very good whites and reds, some lovely Domaines.

• Irancy : the village of cherry trees, which give such a fruity flavour to its complex, flavoursome red wines.

• Epineuil : next to Tonnerre, whose red wines have become some of the finest in Burgundy.

• Chablis ... who needs no introduction! 

Character towns in the surrounding area : 

• Avallon : our favourite town, which has been bustling with life for some years now. Don't miss its Saturday morning market, which gives it an unrivalled vibrancy. Take a trip to the Cité des Brocanteurs in the old abattoir.

• Vézelay : an essential part of the region and a UNESCO site. Its Basilica has just been magnificently restored. The Musée Zervos is a must-see if you like contemporary art, with its rich private collection housed in a renovated building.

• Auxerre : A very pretty town with half-timbered houses and a medieval centre that slopes down to the quays of the Yonne, which are laid out as promenades with numerous brasseries.

A few monuments not to be missed a little further on:

• La Grande Forge de Buffon - Montbard : A masterpiece of 18th-century industrial heritage, it was built by the famous naturalist Comte de Buffon. It consists of a unique architectural ensemble combining the domestic and industrial sections.

• L’Abbaye de Fontenay : An incredible site bringing together all the restored Abbey buildings, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Le Château de Guédelon, still under construction using the methods of yesteryear. A must-see, especially for younger visitors.

Several beautiful Châteaux :

• Ancy le Franc, a chateau of perfect proportions,

• Tanlay, the charm and majesty of the old in a chateau,

• Meaulnes, the mystical polygon! A curiosity not to be missed, the guides will explain to you the symbolism hidden in this place.

• Saint Fargeau : Don't miss its night-time shows in summer. Very interesting guided tours.

• Bazoches, Vauban's residence, with an incredible view.